Our Beliefs
The essential beliefs of The Local Reach Project represent what we believe are the core elements of Christianity and biblical teaching.
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God: We believe in one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. We believe that He is limitless in power, knowledge, wisdom, love, and holiness. We also believe that He has revealed himself as the Father of the redeemed. (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus: We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity and is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He sits at the right hand of the Father. He will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
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Holy Spirit: He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit is co equal with the Father and the Son of God. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:2
The Bible: The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
People: We believe that man was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort. (Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23)
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Salvation: We believe that salvation is a gift of God to man. Man can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 3:16, 10:29, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14)
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Eternal Security: We believe that God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ; therefore, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, 10:10 & 14)
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The Church: We believe the church is the Body of Christ, the family of God made up of every Christian on earth. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to use their gifts in reaching non-Christians with God’s salvation message, and in helping each other grow spiritually. The church is led by the Holy Spirit through the pastors and elders He has established. (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:19, 4:11-13, 10)
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Eternity: We believe that people were created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is to live in Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 2:25, 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
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Biblical Marriage: We believe the marriage covenant was designed by God to be exclusively between one man, who was born a man, and one woman, who was born a woman. This is a permanent union between the two. God alone has the ultimate authority to define the marital relationship. Sexual intimacy is only properly exercised and pursued within the confines of marriage. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:1- 9; Mark 10:1-12)